Concio, Hernandez win
By Marlon Bernardino
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 17 Dec 2024
Manila---International Master Michael Concio, Jr. defeated former leader Arena International Master Gabriel Ryan Paradero in 55 moves of a King’s Indian Attack to rule the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championships for the second straight year at the Philippine Academy for Chess Excellence (PACE) headquarters along Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City Monday night.
Concio outplayed Paradero right in the opening phase as he sacrificed a piece for a vicious kingside attack where he extracted the full point to seize the crown with 6.5 points.
It also booked the Dasmarinas bet a ticket to the World Juniors Championships in February next year in Petrovac, Montenegro where he would have a chance to seize a dream Grandmaster title should he end up ruling that tournament.
He also went home with the top purse worth P20,000 in the tilt organized by the National Chess Federation of the Philippines and backed by the Philippine Sports Commission.
Paradero dropped into a three-man logjam for second with National Master Cedric Khalel Abris and FIDE Master Mark Jay Bacojo with six points each but wound up fourth because he had the lowest tiebreak score.
Abis, who shocked former national juniors titlist FIDE Master Alekhine Nouri, took second while Bacojo, who turned back National Master Phil Martin Casiguran, claimed third.
Also joining Concio in Petrovac is Woman National Master Lexie Hernandez, who topped the girls’ section earlier.
The Ateneo standout Hernandez came out of nowhere to snatch the girls crown of the Philippine National Juniors Chess Championships.
Unfazed by a painful opening-round defeat, the 19-year-old Interdisciplinary Studies student went on a rampage as she scored 5.5 points out of her last six outings including a 46-move, final-round win over Woman National Master Jersey Marticio in a Caro-kann duel.
It sent the former Eastern Asia Youth standard and blitz gold winner into a tie for first with Woman National Master Daren dela Cruz, who bested Karol Jozef de Guia, with 5.5 points each but went on snaring the title due to a better tiebreaker, 25-21.5.
The feat earned the Candaba, Pampanga native the right to represent the country in the World Juniors meet slated in Petrovac, Montenegro in February next year plus the P15,000 prize.
“Actually, I didn't expect it po kasi ang dami pong magagaling and yung mindset ko po ng whole tournament is maglalaro lang ako kahit ano man po yung maging results ng performance ko sa tournament,” said Hernandez.
Dela Cruz finished second while Woman FIDE Master Ruelle Canino ended up third with five points.
It was a heartbreaking finish for Canino, the heavy favorite to win it all being the reigning women’s champion and Olympiad veteran but just didn’t live up to expectations in this tournament.-Marlon Bernardino-
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Marlon Bernardino.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Gabriel Santisima Stuns Unbeaten World Ranked and WBO Asia Pacific Champion Subaru Murata to Capture WBO Asia Pacific Title at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo
Sun, 08 Feb 2026Lucky "Batang Quiapo" Salvador defeats Rhaky "Roj" Constantino
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 08 Feb 2026Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa: Scrappy Styles Matchup in Liverpool
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 07 Feb 2026Undefeated Middleweight Sebastian Juarez Returns to the Ring February 6 in Guadalajara
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Esquillo, Arpilleda to compete at Lunar Horse Battle Royal 10-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 06 Feb 2026WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER FOR MEDINA VS. CURIEL IN MEXICO, PLUS MAIN EVENT QUOTES
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Rene Tellez Giron & Luis Torres Battle for Mexican Pride in 10-Round Main Event of ProBoxTV’s ‘The Contender Series’
Fri, 06 Feb 2026Gomera and Ding are set to clash for the WBC Asia 126 belt
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026“Thunderdome 53 is stacked and I cant wait to see these fights March 13 at Thunderdome 53 - Promoter Tony Tolj
Thu, 05 Feb 2026WORLD ELITE SUMO MAKES ITS PRUDENTIAL CENTER DEBUT ON SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Sumalinog Brothers Score Wins in Bohol; Sign with Monty Flores (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 05 Feb 2026MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS ANNOUNCES AGREEMENT WITH TEAM BOXING LEAGUE
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Trifon Petrov unveils the signing of another USA Team member in Ariana Carrasco
Thu, 05 Feb 2026Jerome Gonzales off to a marvelous start in J&P 10 Ball Cup at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 05 Feb 2026